Item: Could Fatal Avalanche Accidents in Norway from 2005 – 2012 Been Prevented Using the Reduction Method, The Basic Reduction Method and the Alptruth Method?
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Title: Could Fatal Avalanche Accidents in Norway from 2005 – 2012 Been Prevented Using the Reduction Method, The Basic Reduction Method and the Alptruth Method?
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Linda Hallandvik [ Sogn og Fjordane University College, Sogndal, Norway ]
- Stian Langeland [ Sogn og Fjordane University College, Sogndal, Norway ]
- Magnus Berger Skjøstad [ Sogn og Fjordane University College, Sogndal, Norway ]
- Vetle Aase Øvrebotten [ Sogn og Fjordane University College, Sogndal, Norway ]
- Roland van den Tillaar [ Nord Tr ø ndelag University College, Levanger, Norway ] [ CIDESD, Vila Real, Portugal ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: The number of people off-piste skiing in Norway is increasing (Odden, 2008). In the last few years the number of fatal avalanche accidents involving recreationist skiers has dramatically increased. The aim of this study is to investigate how many of the fatal avalanche accidents in Norway in the period 2005-2012 could have been avoided by using the Basic Reduction Method, the Reduction Method and ALPTRUTh. Quantitative methods on data from Avalanche Accident Reports gathered by NGI (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute) were used. Previous studies (McCammon & Hägeli, 2005; Hägeli, McCammon, Jamieson, Israelson & Statham, 2006) have been criticized for being methodologically unclear, for drawing conclusions based on missing data and for difficulties in getting access to accident databases (Gauthier, 2010; Uttl, Uttl & Meaghen, 2008; Uttl & Uttl, 2008; Uttl & Kisinger, 2010). To avoid these pitfalls, this study has used only publically available reports written by avalanche professionals. 100 % of the accidents within the given time period have been examined. Using the ALPTRUTh method on this material, we found that 100 % of the accidents would have been avoided if the skier had not skied with one or two clues present, and 50 % with more than four clues present. Using The Basic Reduction method, 90 % of the accidents would have been avoided, while 93 % of the accidents would have been avoided with a lower risk value than 1 had The Reduction Method been used. It was concluded that the ALPTRUTh Method in Norway would be the preferred method, based on the contents of the method, prevention value, learning possibilities and differentiating between user groups.
Object ID: issw-2012-775-780.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: decision support methods, avalanche hazard, avalanche accidents, avalanche risk
Page Number(s): 775-780
Subjects: avalanche education avaluator avalanche reduction
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